A graduate of the University of Jos, John Azi, has regained his freedom after spending 11 days in the hands of kidnappers who abducted him while travelling from Jos to Zaria.
Azi, who studied Early Childhood Education, was reportedly kidnapped on April 11, 2026, along a highway route connecting Plateau and Kaduna States. The incident sparked concern among family members after the abductors initially demanded ₦30 million before later reducing the ransom to ₦5 million, alongside other undisclosed conditions.
According to his family, the ransom negotiations shifted multiple times over the 11-day period, with payments eventually totaling about ₦10.3 million before his release was secured.
His elder brother, Bulus Azi, confirmed that the final payment was made on Tuesday, after which the abductors arranged for his release near Zaria. He explained that the victim was first moved through intermediaries before being handed over for onward transportation.
“That video was from Zaria. We are yet to see him, but he is on his way to Jos,” Bulus said, adding that the family had arranged for a driver to bring him home.
He also revealed that the kidnappers repeatedly increased ransom demands whenever news of the case circulated on social media, forcing the family to make multiple payments in instalments.
“At different points, they kept increasing the amount. We had no choice but to keep negotiating to save his life,” he said.
Bulus added that after his release, Azi received some medical attention before being handed over for transportation back to Jos.
He explained that although the family had informed security agencies about the abduction, they ultimately handled negotiations directly with the kidnappers to secure his release.
“We could not wait endlessly. We had to do what was necessary to bring him back alive,” he said.
As of the time of filing this report, the Plateau State Police Command had not issued an official statement on the incident.
The case adds to growing concerns over kidnapping incidents along major highways in parts of northern Nigeria, where victims are often held for days or weeks while ransom negotiations take place.
